Mesa De Frades - Lisbon

First, I would like to say that I am Portuguese, that I’m very keen on fado music, and that I have been to different Fado houses in Lisbon several times. So I really know fado houses and how it usually works. So last weekend, my husband and I booked at “Mesa dos Frades”, where we hadn’t been yet and always wanted to go. What a disappointment! Monstrous disappointment after all the articles and reviews we read about it. It is unfair for those who pay for the dinner: indeed you buy a 60-euro evening dinner with fado, but indeed you buy a 60-euro dinner that is not worth it (ok but not a 60 euro worth), followed by a fado night that anyone can attend. Explanation: We booked at 9:30 convinced that the dinner would continue during the fado interludes like in all fado houses, but instead the dinner took place at a quick pace, 40 minutes max. all tables more or less at the same time, until the concert started at 10:20. As soon as fado started some people who hadn’t had dinner came in, Portuguese people, tourists, and attended the concert having just a glass of wine or a bottle of water. On the other hand, our service completely stopped, no attention at all anymore. Conclusion: The service is friendly during the 40-minute dinner, non-existent afterward, the food is ok, and they gave you lots of cheap wine included, but we did feel cheated. Moreover, they placed us on the mezzanine without informing us in advance, which is very high and far away from the happening. You have to bend yourself to see something. To avoid!

Uma noite incrível, boa comida, bom vinho, fadistas maravilhosas e um atendimento fantástico. Típico espírito português. Ótimo para levar alguém que queira conhecer a nossa cultura

Quando entrámos estava cheio. Era difícil conseguir ver até quem estava a cantar na altura. Mas enquanto iamos estando ao balcão, acompanhadas por uma taça de vinho, deixavamo-nos levar por toda aquela envolvencia do fado, do ambiente, das luzes reduzidas que tornam o ambiente tão íntimo, da simplicidade, do que é tradicional e português. Depois de arranjarmos mesa fomos ainda presenteadas com a companhia do grande sr que é o João Braga. O atendimento é dos mais simpático que possa existir. Os valores podem ser elevados mas é perceptível...e vale muito a pena. Fiquei fascinada e hei-de voltar certamente

Apaixonada por fado, não podia deixar de ir a alfama jantar a um restaurante com fado ao vivo. Recomendaram me a mesa de frades e não sai de lá nada desiludida. A comida era óptima!! E o espaço era elegante, acolhedor e os funcionários são super atenciosos e simpáticos. O fado também não desiludiu. Os preços são elevados, mas não acho exagerado para o serviço. Sem dúvida, espero voltar. Óptima experiência.

Thankfully we booked in advance, there is limited places. A Fado night is a must when visiting Lisbon. It was a 2 minute walk from our location in Alfama. Cosy atmosphere in a chapel converted into a Fado house. We were warmly welcomed by the hosts. Food is traditional Portugese home style with limited choice but large portion sizes. Drinks included were good n free flowing...icing on the cake is the Fado performance which starts after dinner at 10.30 pm and goes on till late in the night...soulful performances, we stayed on for 3 rounds till midnight....